Chapter 197: A curse in disguise

Nathan hurriedly took her out, "Secretary Grayson, if you don't know, shouldn't you ask me? I can't keep shielding your mistakes like this. If it repeats, I will not help you again."

More than thrice Nathan took her blame from Alan when she tried to outsmart.

Monroe crossed her arms with a smirk on her face, "Didn't Uncle Morgan tell you to take care of me? Just do your job." She went to her desk after saying it letting Nathan fume.

In earlier times, she was very courteous to Nathan but from the time, Aria and Alan's unfinished wedding, she was very haughty. 

He wanted her to get fired but thinking Alan and his family were on negatives, he didn't want to create more fuss between them.

Nathan still knew Alan loves Aria but he couldn't believe how Alan could hurt Aria or her father in the past.

He decided to ignore it and went to his office room.

Inside the CEO office, Old master Gray coughed lightly, "Alan, you should control your anger. It isn't good for your health too."

Alan curtly hummed.

Jeremy forced a smile clenching fist, "Alan, you should be considerate of lady employees."

Alan's eyes narrowed at him, "If you have a problem with how I treat employees, take her and leave."

For him, excluding his mother and wife, there were no women in his life. The rest were just human beings.

Jeremy frowned but he had no option than being quiet because Monroe wanted to work for Alan or appropriate to say work with Alan.

Old master Gray thought Alan was affected by Aria Cooper so he changed the topic. "Alan, we are celebrating Orla's seventy-fifth birthday. I came to invite you to the celebration."

Orla - Amelia's mother

Alan didn't think twice and declined, "I'm not interested."

Old master Gray expected it hence he patiently spoke, "It had been a long time you have met her and she wanted to see you. Alan, try to take some time out and attend."

Alan wanted to reject but thinking he might sound too rude if he rejects his grandfather again hence, "I will see."

Old master Gray was about to nod but Jeremy poked in, "You attended that girl's homecoming party. What's wrong with attending your grandmother's birthday?"

Alan grounded his teeth hearing 'that girl', "President Cooper. Who is it?"

Jeremy regretted poking his nose looking at Alan who was controlling himself from throwing him out. "Pre... President Cooper."

Old master Gray quickly managed, "That's enough. Alan, we are sorry for disturbing your work time. I hope to see you at the celebration."

Alan had already lost his cool hence he gave a curt hum and continued his work.

Both elder men left his office soon and met Monroe. "Moon, why are you working under him? He doesn't even respect you as a relative."

Monroe didn't mind it, "Alan isn't like that. Due to that little b*tch, he has to work hard and suffer. Don't worry, I'm very happy about working here and I want to help him as much as I can."

Jeremy asked again, "Is Alan free on the first aunt's birthday?"

Monroe disappointedly spoke, "Alan's schedules are maintained by his Assistant. So I have no idea."

The old master was done with their nonsense, "Go back to work. Jeremy, let's leave."

Monroe bid them before getting back on work.

--

Aria received the report from Levi related to hackers and went through it. If the attacks were by a single person, then she was really impressed due to their techniques.

"Thank you..." Aria thanked and got back to work.

She got a call from Old master Morgan before lunch hence she left to meet him in the hospital who was very much bored over there acting like a patient.

"Grandfather, why aren't you discharged yet? Alan said you didn't want to leave?"

Both had continued to talk having their lunch but Old master Gray and Jeremy Grayson reached there. 

Aria felt like they were angry at her seeing their behavior. She had met them a few times but other than a greeting, they never had any conversation.

"Elder Gray, Mr.Grayson." She greeted them to be polite but heard a grunt in response from the Old master.

Jeremy spoke, "Can't you just mind your business? Why are slashing swords between Alan and his family?"

Aria was never good with who raises their voice at her unnecessarily, "Mr.Grayson, Let me remind you who I am. President and CEO of Skyline Industries. Your small company could just vanish soon if you offend me. Do you want to try?... If not, better mind your tone."

Old master Morgan always liked strong women so he didn't butt in and he also didn't like how Jeremy spoke to his granddaughter-in-law.

"You..."

Aria just raised her brows, her lips curled up, "Me?"

Old master Gray was fuming too but he was rational seeing Old master quite without reprimanding her which meant he was supporting Aria.

He completely ignored Aria, "Curtis, how are you? How is your health?"

Aria wanted to leave them to talk but Curtis held her back because she was more important for him and the morgan family than Ford Gray or Jeremy Grayson.

"I'm fine. How about you all?"

Aria awkwardly sat and heard them generally talking ignoring Jeremy's glare. Curtis was invited to Orla's birthday.

When Aria heard the date, she interjected, "Grandfather, we are celebrating your birthday on that day." 

Curtis seventy-fifth birthday wasn't celebrated grandly because Aria and Rian were in a different country so they had planned to celebrate the eightieth birthday.

Jeremy scorned, "We? President Cooper, let me remind you, you aren't the family anymore."

Aria really wanted to stand up and slap that man but controlled due to his age.

Curtis remembered it was his birthday too. He couldn't understand why Orla's birthday was celebrated after a week of her birthday.

He affectionately spoke to Aria, "If you want to celebrate, then we will celebrate my birthday. Alright?"

Aria nodded with a smile like a little girl making Curtis smile. 

Curtis turned to Ford and Jeremy and his face turned cold, "Ford, I'm sorry, I don't think I could attend. I'll send my wishes for sure."

Ford and Jeremy grounded teeth looking at Aria.

"Curtis, don't you know why you ended up in the hospital? Don't you know why Morgan Industries is facing back to back problems? This girl is a curse in disguise for your family. Alan had to work hard for Skyline Industries when she was young and how did she payback? As soon as she took over, she started showing her true colors attacking our grandson. How could you still listen to her?"

To be fact, his words really hurt Aria. 

'A curse in disguise.' 

She felt he was right even though his context was different. The Morgan family was so peaceful but from the time she entered, she became the curse on the happiness of the family.

She had nothing to retort. She clenched her teeth to remain unemotional and stopped herself from becoming weak.